There are bits of advice that one collects over a 30 year career and when given the chance, some are worth passing on to those who care to listen. While this could have been a lessons from my father sort of episode, we decided to keep things focused on those of us who either are, or want to be, architects, and we are going to pass along a handful of things that we wish we had known at the start of our careers. Welcome to Episode 174: Dear Future Architects.

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Partial Results from an Instagram Poll asking the question what "Future Architects" should know ... click to enlarge

Today we are going to be talking about those interesting considerations and bits of advice that have been shared with us during our career. While they might not be applicable to everyone, I feel pretty confident that all the items we will be discussing today are of value. This will be the first “Dear Future Architects post as there are too many items to work through in a single episode. These are in the order than they came to mind and I didn’t want to presume a specific priority to them and set them in order of value. I also want to throw in there that a few of these are pretty hot and I fully expect people to think I am full of s%!t … but I am here to bring the pain.

01 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 04:55

Choose your firm based on the skills you want to build.

Residential firms often hone your soft skills—communication, empathy, and negotiation—while commercial firms emphasize technical depth, systems coordination, and documentation.

Source:

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/big-or-small-whats-the-right-sized-firm-for-you/

In reflecting on my career, I’ve come to realize that the size of the firm you work for can shape the skills you develop, especially early in your career. If you’re just starting out, a small firm offers the opportunity to develop soft skills like communication, empathy, and negotiation because you're often thrown into situations where you're the point of contact with clients, contractors, and team members. You're more involved with every aspect of a project, and that experience helps you build your confidence. On the other hand, in larger firms, you get more exposure to complex projects that require technical proficiency, systems management, and understanding of legalities. While big firms can make you a better architect in that sense, they may not provide as many opportunities to hone those soft skills until you reach a higher level in the company.

Personally, I’ve found that small firms, while sometimes lacking in technical depth, gave me the chance to sharpen my communication skills and gain a more intimate understanding of how a project works from start to finish. This has served me well as I’ve moved up in my career. But the reality is, each environment teaches you something different, and depending on what you want to learn, one might be a better fit for you than the other.

02 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 11:58

Start small if you plan to go solo.

Working in a small firm exposes you to every aspect of running a practice—from contracts and client meetings to redlines and billing—which is invaluable if owning your own firm is in your future.

Source: 

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/architectural-job-starter-kit/

Looking at the question of whether to start in a small firm if you plan to eventually go solo, I believe it’s the best way to prepare. In a small firm, you’re exposed to everything: you write proposals, manage clients, and get a feel for what it really takes to run an office. When I switched from a small firm to a larger one, I found that my skills didn’t always align with what was expected. In a larger firm, tasks like proposal writing are handled by specialists, not generalists like I had been in a small firm. That experience made me realize that if you want to open your own office one day, you’ll be far ahead if you start in a small firm where you’re more likely to gain that well-rounded exposure.

However, there’s also value in gaining experience at the size of firm you want to eventually own. If your goal is to have a larger firm, you should work at one first to understand the management dynamics involved. It’s critical to know how to manage a team and the business side of things before you step out on your own. Ultimately, a small firm gives you the foundational skills to run your own business, but exposure to larger firms can offer valuable insights into scaling up and managing larger teams and projects.

03 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 14:44

Learn to speak the language of money.

Understanding financial modeling, forecasting, and project profitability is just as critical as knowing how to draft or design. Go beyond basic accounting—your career and your future firm will benefit.

Source: 

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/then-and-now-architectural-design-or-accounting/

One key piece of advice I’ve learned over the years is to learn to speak the language of money. Understanding financial modeling, forecasting, and project profitability is crucial, especially if you want to run your own firm. But even if you’re not planning on that, it’s just as important as learning to design. Most architects don’t learn these things, and they should. Accounting basics are fine, but understanding how to manage money long-term is key. Over the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time diving into finances at my firm in ways I never did before. It’s been a painful but essential learning process, helping me think beyond just surviving the next few months to making long-term financial decisions.

The financial lessons I’ve learned are not just for business—they apply to personal finances as well. Recently, I set up an IRA and other accounts for my daughter, which made me reflect on how I wish someone had taught me this when I was 20. Financial literacy is something I believe more people should focus on at a young age—it makes a huge difference in your 50s and 60s.

Back to the profession, financial knowledge is essential for understanding how projects and firms operate. From billing to managing people, the sooner you understand the financial side of the profession, the better. While students might initially resist this, learning these concepts is crucial. As I always say, knowledge is power—understanding where your money goes and how to plan for the future is what will give you the upper hand in your career and life.

04 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 27:44

Design for others, not yourself.

Being a good designer means listening first. Your job is to translate someone else’s hopes and needs into a space that works, not impose your own tastes at their expense.

Source: 

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/designing-for-others/

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a architect and designer is to design for others, not yourself. I’ve had conversations with younger designers who aren’t listening well or pushing their own design ideas onto the project. The reality of being a good designer is understanding that your job is to translate someone else’s needs and goals into a design. It’s about listening first, understanding the client’s perspective, and delivering what they need—even if it’s not what you would personally choose.

In the real world, you’re not designing for yourself. You’re designing for the client, and sometimes that means protecting the client from their own ideas, especially when they want something that might not be the best choice. This idea is tough for students to grasp because they are used to designing for themselves in school. But once they get into the real world, they often find themselves working with clients who don’t understand design the way they do. That’s when they realize that being a good designer isn’t about creating your perfect design—it’s about creating something that works for the client, even if it’s not your taste.

I’ve learned that the goal of any project isn’t just to meet design expectations; it’s to make sure the project gets built within the constraints of budget, space, and practicality. In this profession, we have to find a balance between creativity and the hard realities of the project. We must deliver designs that work for the client, not just for ourselves. That’s what makes us professionals. Hobbyists design how they would like things to be, pro’s can design anything.

05 Dear Future Architects ... jump to 34:42

Understand that architecture requires commitment and desire.

Becoming an architect isn't about thinking it sounds cool or liking to draw; it's a calling that demands dedication.

Source:

https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/do-you-want-to-be-an-architect/

One of the key aspects of being successful in architecture is understanding that it requires commitment and desire. Architecture isn’t just about sketching cool designs or playing the role of a "tortured artist." It’s a job that requires time, effort, and a deep understanding of yourself so you can design in a productive and fulfilling way without feeling like a sellout. Balancing the artist's role with the demands of working for someone else is part of the job, but the truth is, if you have the dedication and put in the time, it’s a career that rewards that effort.

The workaholic mentality is something that I recognize in myself, and while I don’t like downtime, I also know that the work I’ve done—volunteering, blogging, and more—has profoundly changed my career trajectory. Commitment and effort are critical, not just for personal satisfaction but because architecture is an industry full of people with that level of dedication. If you don’t have that same level of commitment, you’re up against people who do. While it’s not always healthy, that’s the reality of this profession.